Various orthopedic conditions in the lower body can lead to discomfort or pain when specific muscles or tendons are placed into a lengthened state (stretched out). Such conditions can include (but are not limited to): These squat wedges are made from highly durable and extra firm foam. Using squat wedges is a great way to not only enhance your squat posture, especially for those who have limited, or minimal ankle mobility but also improve other body weak points. If your overall squat mobility isn’t where you want or need it to be, wedges and boards can help you train around the issue, but they certainly won’t fix the underlying cause. Another rather sweet benefit of squat wedges and slant boards is their ability to alter the demands of how aggressively certain muscle groups must work when squatting. More specifically, squatting with the heels elevated results in greater recruitment of muscle fibers from the quadriceps muscles, which can be used to the benefit of the lifter based on their needs or goals. Not only is either angle excellent for squatting, but having access to that 24° slant allows you to use this heel wedge as a really effective calf stretcher.

Often simple in their construction, and sometimes made up of only wooden boards and some triangular wedges, slant boards provide an angled surface that you can stand on to place your calves or shins in a more stretched-out position. In turn, this extension allows for a more well-rounded activation of your lower leg muscles’ full range of motion. And more range of motion is often a good thing—it can help you yield more power from your running form. As a cyclist-turned-runner, I often struggle with lower leg pain when I transition to more running miles, and I have my relatively weak calves to thank for that. Now, with the New York Marathon on my calendar, it was my mission to find a remedy to this long-time annoyance by working calf and knee exercises into my training. There is also greatly reduced lateral stability and you’ll probably find it an absolute nightmare trying to get your feet perfectly aligned before your set.The days of throwing a plate under your heel are gone. Not only is that unsafe, but is most likely not helping to target and improve the issue at hand. The newer and safer method of correcting poor squat stance and form is to add a squat wedge. Personally, I’d advocate that you use as little angle as required to produce the effects you’re after (perfect squat form, avoiding discomfort in your foot or calves, etc.). Think of it as the minimal effective dose required to achieve the effects you’re after. So in the interest of full transparency, I cannot yet speak about all of these products from first hand experience.

When the hips or the posterior chain no longer has any available range of motion left during the downward phase of the squat, the body must find a way to compensate for the remaining portion of the squat if squat depth continues to increase. Squat wedges are sometimes sold in two sections, which allows you to tailor your foot angle and location. However, as compared to a one-piece squat wedge, they might seem less stable. PERFECTLY DESIGNED: First, we designed our squat wedges to be independent, one for each foot, so you can place them the way you want (feet straight, outwards or inwards) and choose a wide or narrow stance. Second, after extensive research and trials, we found that a 30 to 60 millimeter incline was the perfect angle for the wedges to maximize comfort and performance. In addition to improving your squat form, squat wedges can provide wrist support when doing planks, push-ups, or yoga Why We Love Squats Some boards, like the StrongTek Portable Slant Board, don’t even use grip tape, but rather have heel supports that jut out perpendicular to the board’s service, giving you support from a secondary platform instead of friction. These supports can feel a little precarious if you’re standing on your board with your toes facing downward, especially in the steeper settings. But for most other applications, this isn’t as much of a concern. How We Selected

The Best Squat Wedges For The ATG Program

Strong Load Capacity Up To 440LB] Sport slant board can hold up to 440LB, so most adults can use it even for obese people and over weight people. Concave and convex particles on the surface increase the friction, preventing from slipping. I’ve often seen various lifters (knowingly or unknowingly) use squat wedges as a crutch for their training, as opposed to an adjunct that allows them to keep squatting while simultaneously taking action to improve their limited mobility. Wed ges can be used as an accessory to help with squats , but they are not essential . Wed ges can be used to help with proper form and to assist in working certain muscles . However , wed ges can also be dangerous if used incorrectly . It is best to consult a fitness professional before attempting any exercise with a wedge . What angle is best for squat wedge? This is the ‘solution’ I used to use at the gym and, to be completely honest, it is absolutely awful.